Geoffrey Ruku: The enforcer-in-chief in Ruto's government

A Member of Parliament (MP) for Mbeere North constituency, Ruku was only known as a lickspittle for the Kenya Kwanza administration and defended its agendas tooth and nail.

He then made the headlines after the anti-tax protests in 2024 when he sponsored a proposal seeking to have the government regulate public demonstrations and protests.

The now-withdrawn Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024, sought to spell out the conduct of an assembly or demonstration and outline prohibitions during the event.

His overzealous backing for President Ruto earned him a liking from the top brass men in Ruto's administration, winning him the opportunity to become the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, previously occupied by Justin Muturi, who fell out with the President and was ousted.

Days after taking his oath, he set the ball rolling to ensure the Kenyan civil servants operated according to their charter and promised to deal with the negative stereotypes associated with government services. He vowed to weed out lazy civil servants and improve government services.

The former little-known politico is now the most visible Cabinet Secretary in Ruto's government. He has turned a lowly ministry into one that rivals "big" ministries like Education, Interior, Roads and ICT in terms of visibility.

He made his point known when he started making surprise spot checks on major government offices to enforce his promise.

He made a surprise spot check at the Rift Valley regional offices in Nakuru, startling staffers who reported late to work, finding locked gates.

Ruku addressed the staff who made it to work on time, as the rest were locked out and made to stay away from the premises.

His visit came just a day after he reiterated the government’s commitment to decentralising services by establishing more Huduma Centres across the country to ensure faster and more efficient service delivery.

On July 6, a day before the Saba Saba protests that turned deadly, CS Ruku warned civil servants against skipping work, reminding them that all public servants are expected to report to their duty stations on time.

Ruku cited Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, adding that he will personally conduct spot checks across government offices and warned of disciplinary action for absenteeism.

All roads to the Capital were blocked, shutting most businesses, and Kenyans wondered Ruku's order was to work if the same government was stopping everyone from accessing their places of work.

On July 15, he took his surprise spot checks tour to Central Regional Headquarters in Nyeri, where he announced that public officers who fail to report to duty on time will be treated as ghost workers.

He observed that different departments in the facility had a contrasting number of employees present at their work stations.

In a move that seemed to be overambitious, CS Ruku announced on July 17 that the government is working to develop a mobile application to monitor civil servants' activities and movements.

Speaking during an event in Samburu County, he decried absenteeism and lateness by civil servants, noting that the app will provide updates on reporting times by public officers, further recording those who fail to show up for work.

The CS added that downloading the application will be mandatory for all civil servants.

The administration's prefect later called on all public servants to wear Harambee Stars jerseys throughout August in a show of national pride and solidarity with Kenya’s football team participating in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“We are lucky to host all African teams in the CHAN. In support of our team and in the spirit of patriotism, public servants can wear Harambee Stars jerseys in their offices this month,” he said during a church service on August 4.

This came before Kenya won 1-0 against DR Congo in the opening match of the tournament.

Kenya is co-hosting CHAN 2024 with Uganda and Tanzania, which kicked off on August 2 in Dar es Salaam. It runs until August 30.

But the enforcer-in-chief is not always just about getting the civil servants to work; he has also promised to look into their welfare after admitting that many government workers in Kenya are underpaid.

He noted a need to raise more revenue to sustain the public service, which he described as crucial for creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investment.

CS Ruku also made a promise that no Kenyan will die of hunger, a bold statement that will be tested sooner rather than later.

He affirmed that the government has mapped out these regions and will deliver food and emergency supplies to the most vulnerable households.

As Mr Ruku marks his first 100 days in office, CS Ruku has donned a brazen persona, one that makes the ministry he heads operate on its toes as he promises to bring government closer to the people and its impact felt by both the rich and the poor.